Hi - new here - pursuing IVF w/ PGD

[ChicagoElle]

Hi - I'm not sure where to start..hopefully this is the correct forum for my question!

first of all - helllo! this is my first post. I'm 31, my husband is 38. we live in Chicago with our dogs and would desperatly like to add a non-canine baby to our little family.

my husband and I have been diagnosed w/ 'unexplained infertility' I did recently have lap surgery to remove a cyst and they found some mild endometriosis which may have been causing the issues.

through all the testing we found that both of us carry the cystic fibrosis gene.

so we've decided we want to pursure IVF w/ PGD.

I've found lots of people who've gone through IVF, but none that have gone through PGD. so I'm hoping to find some info and support here on that.

I was also wondering if anyone has any reccomendations on an RE in Chicago experienced in PGD.

while I'm thrilled w/ our current RE - his office and staff leave something to be desired to say the least!

in searching this forum I found a reccomendation for RGI. they look AWESOME and seem to have pretty much invented PGD. unfortunately they don't accept our current insurance.

any info or insight would be so appreciated.

thanks so much for listening.

[libran68]

Hi Elle,

We just finished an FET with PGD and although it was expensive (7k!) it was worth every penny because we finally had a peek at our embryo quality. So much of this process is a mystery, especially when a cycle fails, so doing a PGD is another way to shed some light on what's going on with your embryos. At my age we felt it imperative considering the statistics and we were pleasantly surprised with the results. It looks like you are choosing a clinic that is very skilled at PGD which is another important factor when considering this test. Although I don't know of any RE's in the Chicago area, PGD is generally not covered by insurance as it's still considered experimental by most insurance companies. Good luck and keep us posted----hope you get a BFP in 2010

[ChicagoElle]

thanks so much for your response Libran.

with the RE we're currently seeing we were quoted between 5-6K for the PGD (which wouldn't be covered) but my insurance will cover $15K towards IVF.

RGI (the clinic I'm really interested in) wouldn't take my current insurance for the IVF.

the RE's office I'm with now has dropped the ball on a few really key things that have resulted in my IVF cycle being pushed back. I would psych myself up and then be told I had to wait. ugh. I just want to get this show on the road!

while it's daunting to think about starting over w/ another doctor I think that's what we need to do. this is too important and expensive to do with a clinic I'm not 100% convinced is best for us, ya know?

[Lizz81]

ChicagoElle,
we just finished a IVF/PGD cycle. unfortunately all of our embryos tested positive for the genetic disease. so we had nothing to transfer back.

[dalmaso18]

That was my second cycle. First one, we didn't get enough embroys to warrant 5k cost for pgd.

My next cycle starts 3/2, the day we get back from vacation. I have a history of recurrent chromosomal miscarriage, and doing pgd for aneuploidy.

I'm so scared the next round is going to result in the same thing. Lots of embroys to play with, all of them abnormal.

Does anyone have experience with multiple rounds of pgd?

[NobodyKnows]

Hi ChicagoElle.

I am also a Chicagoian (living in north suburbs now) doing IVF, in part, for a single gene disorder. My husband has BRCA 1, and both of his sisters had ovarian and fallopian tube cancer at ages 40 and 42.

I am at FCI Highland Park. It uses Reprogenetics in NJ (I don't know if the River North office in the city does too). They are a very well-recognized in PGD. So far, we have paid for all genetic stuff out-of-pocket, although IVF has been covered because we also have unexplained infertility, although my FSH is on the high side of normal. FCI takes so many different insurance plans.

I have been very happy with my RE and the financial coordinator, although the nursing staff leaves something to be desired. If you want more info, I have plenty, and would be happy to share it with you. Just let me know and I'll PM you.

Best of luck!

[ChicagoElle]

thanks NobodyKnows..

I've actually been seeing Dr. Kaplan at FCI River North and while I've been REALLY happy with him - his staff has dropped the ball on some things causing delays in my IVF cycle.

I've also been less than thrilled w/ my contact at reprogenetics - she doesn't return calls.

ugh. the thought of starting over is daunting - espcially since we do love Dr. K - but I think we're going to switch to my husbands insurance next month and check out RGI in Lakeview... they seem to be like the pioneers of PGD.

Best of luck to you - I know many people who've been successful at FCI.. I just think RGI may be a better fit for us.

when is your retrival/transfer?

[ChicagoElle]

That was my second cycle. First one, we didn't get enough embroys to warrant 5k cost for pgd.

My next cycle starts 3/2, the day we get back from vacation. I have a history of recurrent chromosomal miscarriage, and doing pgd for aneuploidy.

I'm so scared the next round is going to result in the same thing. Lots of embroys to play with, all of them abnormal.

Does anyone have experience with multiple rounds of pgd?

I'm so sorry.

try to enjoy your vacation and best of luck your next cycle.

[NobodyKnows]

thanks NobodyKnows..

I've actually been seeing Dr. Kaplan at FCI River North and while I've been REALLY happy with him - his staff has dropped the ball on some things causing delays in my IVF cycle.

I've also been less than thrilled w/ my contact at reprogenetics - she doesn't return calls.

ugh. the thought of starting over is daunting - espcially since we do love Dr. K - but I think we're going to switch to my husbands insurance next month and check out RGI in Lakeview... they seem to be like the pioneers of PGD.

Best of luck to you - I know many people who've been successful at FCI.. I just think RGI may be a better fit for us.

when is your retrival/transfer?

I had the same issues all around with Reprogenetics, etc. I just had to put in multiple phone calls. I also "told" on them to my RE and Reprogenetics was very quick to respond. My guess is that FCI is a pretty large account for them.

I'm scheduled to start stim meds end of next week with retrieval/transfer probably b/w 3/10-3/15. This will be IVF #3. I seem to have some egg quality issues too.

I don't know anyone that used RGI. One of my friends actually looked into using them but she ended up using Dr. Confino (sp?) at Northwestern. She and her husband were carriers for Gauchers (sp???). She has healthy twin girls.

Good luck!

[MME70]

Hi there,

I am very happy to have found this site. My DH and I are going through very difficult times.
After many many attempts at ICSI and not one single + beta, our RE recommended PGD. Of the 3 embryos tested all were deffective.
I just turned 40 and the subject of DE is now on the table.
I am still finding the idea very difficult to accept and DH & I are very confused.
Should we try ICSI & PGD testing again? are there any chances of me producing good eggs?
Has anyone been through the same experience?

I know i will not get the RIGHT answer but friendly advice will be gratefully received.